Although senior Caitlyn Hazzard was one of the 13 band and orchestra students who spent the weekend at the TMEA Convention rehearsing and performing, she was just one of four students, out of thousands, presented with a $12,500 Past-President’s scholarship for her achievements.

“It gives me the opportunity to more leeway in what college I choose because money helps,” Caitlyn said. “But also, gives me the opportunity to network with professionals at the Texas Music Educators Association convention this past weekend and it was a huge honor to get to represent Liberty at that convention and show people the kind of stuff that grows in the music programs here and gives me the opportunity to give a voice to different communities.”

With the TMEA Scholarship, she now has the opportunity to expand her abilities to get the best education for her future working with music.

“Music therapy is the use of musical stimulus to address non-musical goals in a variety of populations and my focus has been using music therapy to help kids, particularly with autism,” Caitlyn said. “Both of my parents are musicians so it’s been a really big part of my life and then I started working with special needs kids through my church and found music therapy that way and just decided to do a double major in college: music therapy and music education.”

Caitlyn has been pursuing her dreams of studying music therapy and music education after her parents spread their talent and love for music to her. Her dad, Preston Hazzard, is Frisco ISD’s Assistant Director of Fine Arts.

“Proud does not even begin to describe it,” Preston said via email. “It is very special watching life ‘come together’ for your child, especially when that child works diligently and consistently. Knowing that Caitlyn was selected to represent the state of Texas in this way was incredible. It has been a joy watching her take this representation responsibility very seriously, humbly considering the impact she will make on students’ lives in the future.”

Caitlyn takes her musical studies into other extracurricular activities as well in order to become a better musician and person.

“I’m in ISM so I’m studying music therapy there, through my mentorship and my research, but I’m also involved heavily in the band program here at Liberty,” Caitlyn said. “I do floor orchestra, band, jazz-band, I do several performing things outside of school, and it’s just about pursuing better musicianship, better leadership skills, and improving myself right now, getting ready for college.”

Band director Jamie Weaver has watched Caitlyn grow up and become a leader.

“Oddly, having been friends with her parents for a long time, I have known Caitlyn since the day she was born,” Weaver said via email. “It has certainly been amazing to watch her grow into the young lady she has become. She is the very model of servant leadership I hope all leadership students will aspire to be like. She is a two-time All-State musician with a heart of pure gold. She will, without a doubt, have an incredible impact on the world.”